2025 Volvo EX90

What is the EX90?

The XC90 has long held the title of Volvo's SUV flagship, but a usurper is set to rise: the new fully electric Volvo EX90. It embodies the XC90's general principles of safety, space and Scandinavian luxury but adds a new all-electric powertrain to the mix. While the XC90 will be sold alongside it for the foreseeable future, the EX90 sets the tone for what we can expect from Volvo in the coming years.

With three rows of seats and a targeted range of more than 300 miles, the EX90 will take on a growing list of competitors, including the well-established Tesla Model X, long-range Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV and rugged Rivian R1S.

What's the XC90's price?

The Volvo EX90 will be on sale in the States at the end of 2024 with a starting price just over $80,000 (including $1,295 for destination). There will be four variants of EX90: Twin Motor Plus ($81,290), Twin Motor Ultra ($85,640), Twin Motor Performance Plus ($86,290) and Twin Motor Performance Ultra ($90,640). Notable Plus trim features include adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and lane changing assistance, a 360-degree camera system, a fixed glass roof, a Bose audio system and 20-inch wheels. The Ultra version adds an adaptive suspension, soft-close doors, front passenger massagers, 21-inch wheels and optional Bowers & Wilkins stereo. All EX90s for the U.S. market will be built in South Carolina.

How much power does the EX90 have?

At launch, the Volvo EX90 will come exclusively with all-wheel drive. There will be two motor options. The entry-level Twin Motor produces 402 horsepower. The uplevel Twin Motor Performance has 510 hp. Volvo projects 0-60 mph acceleration will take 5.7 seconds for the Twin Motor or 4.7 seconds for the Performance version. This is slower than a quad-motor Rivian R1S (3.4 seconds) or Model X Plaid, but most buyers should be fully satisfied with the EX90's performance.

What about the EX90's range and charging speed?

The EX90 has a 107-kWh battery pack. With a pack this size, Volvo hopes to achieve 310 miles of range with the EX90's 21-inch wheels, or 300 miles with the 20- and 22-inch wheels, goalposts we look forward to testing in Edmunds' independent EV Range Test. Utilizing a peak charge rate of 250 kW on a DC fast charge, the EX90 is competitive. Expect charging from 10% to 80% capacity to take roughly 30 minutes.

How does the EX90 drive?

The car I drove was an EX90 Twin Motor Performance. U.S.-spec cars will come with standard all-season tires in sizes ranging from 20 to 22 inches, but this early-production model was fitted with European-spec 22-inch Pirelli Scorpion Elect summer tires. According to Pirelli, these tires "are specifically designed to reduce perceived in-cabin noise by up to 20%." I can't confirm exactly how much quieter they'd be compared to the U.S.-spec all-seasons, but along my test route, the EX90 had one of the quietest cabins I've ever experienced.

The Twin Motor Performance accelerates as smoothly as any electric SUV out there. When the road got twisty, I was pleasantly surprised by the EX90's stability. It settled in nicely during a handful of long, sweeping turns, unlike the side-to-side rolling motion exhibited by some SUVs. This is a family hauler at heart, so few owners will drive it anywhere near the limit. Still there is peace of mind knowing the EX90 handles with such poise should you need to make a quick swerve on the highway, for instance.

How comfortable is the EX90?

The EX90's ride quality is excellent. During my drive, the suspension reacted well across various surfaces and maintained that level of luxury comfort customers now expect from Volvo.

The seating position is a mixed bag, however. The driver's seat is highly adjustable, but the steering wheel doesn't telescope out as far as I'd like. As a taller driver (over 6 feet), I have to slide the seat closer to the pedals than I prefer. After about 45 minutes in the Volvo, the top of my right ankle cramped from its position related to the accelerator pedal. This phenomenon is not unique to the EX90 in my experience. In the front passenger seat, however, I was very comfortable.

The second row is suitable for adults with decent space, though entry and exit is a little tight. Third-row access is possible for adults in a pinch but much more suited for kids.

Sunbelt drivers should be aware of the EX90's fixed glass roof. This is a trend among EVs that has cosmetic benefits but functional limitations. The EX90, like others, does not have a shade as standard equipment for its extensive glass roof. There is an optional roof sunshade that is installed manually or stored elsewhere when not in use. Without it you'll definitely feel the heat coming in from the roof on a warm day. Back sweat is a real thing. An options package that includes seat cooling is available, I was told. I'd consider it a must. A second downside is the glare from the midday sun. The tinted glass simply doesn't block enough of the sun's light.

How's the EX90's interior?

Volvo has a long history of designing sharp interiors, and the EX90 carries that mantle brilliantly into the future. Like the XC90 and other models in the lineup, the new SUV's cabin is subtle but beautifully designed in a way that only the Swedes know how to nail. Volvo kept the interior free of any animal products, opting instead for materials like wool and Nordico, a synthetic leather-like material, for the seats. The overall design is less flashy than a Mercedes' but feels just as premium.

There is one downside to the sleek design: Many of the controls are touchscreen-based. That means that changing the air conditioning, activating a seat heater, or even adjusting the side mirrors requires digging into screen menus and potentially distracting you from the road. We've seen this from other brands, too. It's still not a crowd favorite.

The EX90's interior space is very similar to the XC90's. The EX90 has one big advantage in that it offers better headroom in all three rows; otherwise legroom and cargo space are the same as the XC90's. It's easy to imagine Volvo doing this intentionally, as many of its prospective customers may indeed be trading in an XC90 to go all-electric. And when they do so, the interior space should feel right to them.

How's the EX90's tech?

A big point of distinction between the XC and the EX is the completely overhauled tech interface, which makes the electric SUV feel much fresher than its combustion-powered sibling. The EX90 comes with a 14.5-inch center screen that runs a version of Google's Android software. It's a similar system to the ones found in current Volvos. The EX90's system promises to be fast thanks to more powerful computer chips, and in my experience it delivers. It also offers the ability to use wireless Apple CarPlay, so you can always bypass the default UI.

For Volvo, safety is first and foremost. The EX90 has an array of cameras, radar and lidar sensors. All come standard on the vehicle. Together, Volvo says the systems create "a real-time, 360-degree view of the world" that will help keep drivers and passengers out of trouble while on the road. Volvo also says the EX90 is the first Volvo vehicle that's hardware-ready for more automated driving capability in the near future.

Volvo's electric flagship SUV is here. Our early impressions of the EX90 are positive and we think you'll want to keep it in mind as you shop for a luxury electric SUV. We look forward to an extended test to determine where it fits among its peers.